{the classic chignon}

There is a film called 'Le Chignon d'Olga' in which a young man falls hopelessly in love with a girl after he glimpses her chignon from afar . . .

Something about Fall always reminds me of this simple, yet incredibly sophisticated hairstyle.

The word chignon {shee-nyawn} comes from the French phrase “chignon du cou,” which means nape of the neck and refers to a large, smooth twist, roll, or knot of hair, worn by women at the nape of the neck or the back of the head.

The chignon completes any outfit, is as perfect for the gallery as it is for a day at home, and best of all, it's both elegantly demure and wonderfully sexy at the same time . . .

{1 - via layers of meaning; 2+3 - via the fashion spot; 4 + 6 via on decorum; 5, 7 + 8 - Harper's Bazaar Runway Report Fall/Winter 2008}